SANBALLAT AROUSES THE NEIGHBOURS OF THE JEWS TO RIDICULE THEIR ATTEMPTS TO REBUILD THE WALLS, BUT WITHOUT EFFECT (NEHEMIAH 4:1). We note here the deepening of the already revealed opposition to the Jews and to the building of the walls. Notice the growth in the antagonistic attitude of those who we... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTINUAL OPPOSITION TO THE BUILDING OF THE WALL AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO IT (NEHEMIAH 4:1 TO NEHEMIAH 6:14). Meanwhile the work did not go on unopposed. Powerful men were involved in seeking to ensure that the walls were not rebuilt, and that Jerusalem was not re-established. We have already had th... [ Continue Reading ]
SANBALLAT AND HIS ALLIES DETERMINE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE BUILDERS OF THE WALLS WITH THE AIM OF PREVENTING THEIR COMPLETION ONLY TO BE THWARTED BY NEHEMIAH'S PRECAUTIONS (NEHEMIAH 4:7). Their derision having failed in its purpose, and their anger still being aroused, Sanballat and his allies now dete... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE ATTITUDES WHICH NEHEMIAH HAD TO CONTEND WITH (NEHEMIAH 4:10). Nehemiah's firm response is now set against the background of three attitudes which were in danger of halting the work. The first was the growth of discouragement among the builders as they considered the task in hand (and Judah sai... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH'S TAKES PRECAUTIONS AND HIS RESPONSE ENCOURAGES THE BUILDERS AND BALKS THE ENEMY (NEHEMIAH 4:13). Nehemiah's response demonstrated his leadership abilities, and his firm practicality. He called on the builders to bring with them their weapons and demonstrated how they could set up a solid m... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH'S PROVISION FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE BUILDERS (NEHEMIAH 4:16). Nehemiah now called on his own specialist troops, fully armed with mail and shields, to act as a protective force for Jerusalem. These were probably his escort which he would have retained in Jerusalem for the journey back and ma... [ Continue Reading ]